How Much Does Surrogacy Insurance Cost?
Insurance companies usually do not cover surrogacy-related medical fees, as surrogacy is considered a choice rather than a necessity. Sometimes, the intended parents and a surrogate’s health insurance will cover some expenses but not the entire process. In this article, we will explain how health insurance works with surrogacy and what insurance options are available for intended parents.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?
Surrogacy is a financially demanding process. The latest research shows that in the USA, prices vary between $150,000 and $200,000 due to expensive medical care and surrogate compensation. Mexico and European surrogacy-friendly countries offer more cost-effective solutions ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.
Medical expenses include IVF treatments, medications, surrogate screening, prenatal care, delivery, and post-birth period. As many intended parents struggle to find a way to afford surrogacy, it’s essential to know all the options they have available.
Does Insurance Cover Surrogacy?
The medical care system does offer some health insurance policies that cover intended parents’ fertility treatments, including one or more IVF cycles. However, no insurance will cover fertility treatments for a surrogate or a surrogate compensation. Intended parents will have to purchase a separate health plan for the surrogate.
The surrogate's health insurance may cover some pregnancy-related expenses, but most plans have exclusions for surrogacy. Determining whether your existing health insurance is sufficient for surrogacy is essential. If it's not, it may be beneficial to find an alternative policy.
How Does Surrogacy Work with Insurance?
For you to plan your expenses accordingly, let’s look at what procedures insurance covers.
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Depending on your medical plan, insurance covers one in-vitro fertilization, which is necessary to create embryos.
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Insurance may cover lab testing associated with fertility treatment.
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In the case of traditional surrogacy, when a surrogate’s own eggs are used, insurance covers the cost of artificial insemination.
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Some private health plans may offer a benefit to retrieve and freeze eggs.
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Some health insurance companies offer an option to cover a surrogate’s fertility treatments, labor, and recovery period for an additional cost.
Health insurance companies do not cover the following:
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Fertility treatments and embryo transfer to a surrogate.
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The cost of donated eggs.
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Surrogate’s compensation.
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In many cases, a surrogate’s insurance will not include pregnancy. With the rising popularity of surrogacy, many health insurance companies have changed their policies to avoid paying for surrogacy pregnancies.
Note that if your health plan information does not specify that it does not cover surrogacy, you can request your insurance company to cover your expenses under the law.
Insurance for the Newborn
Once the baby is born, it becomes the responsibility of the intended parents. Therefore, the intended parents must purchase insurance for their child or connect them to an existing health plan.
Need help figuring out your insurance surrogacy benefits? Contact us for assistance.
How Much Does Surrogacy Insurance Cost?
The average cost of medical insurance for the surrogate is between $15,000 and $30,000. The price will be higher for a surrogate carrying a twin pregnancy. When deciding on a surrogacy insurance plan, look for one that covers prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care for the surrogate. Intended parents should check their insurance policy for coverage for fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
If you have coverage for IVF or other fertility treatments, you could save thousands in medical expenses. Some employers are expanding their corporate benefits to include fertility treatment for surrogacy expenses.
One great way to save on surrogacy coverage is to look for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan on the marketplace during open enrollment. Open enrollment usually occurs during December and January and offers lower monthly payments. In the situation of very high medical bills, Lloyds of London may be a cost-effective option. Lloyds of London writes surrogacy policies and offers medical plans available all year in the USA and Europe.
To Summarize
Surrogacy is expensive, but there are ways to utilize your current medical insurance plan and coverage options to use funds effectively. Understanding your medical plan's intricacies and finding the best cost-effective solution can be challenging. The WCOB team can help you understand your benefits and advantages. We always make sure that intended parents have the necessary insurance to start the surrogacy process.
Contact us for guidance and the best payment plan for your unique situation.
